“I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.”—Isaiah 57:15
According to Isaiah 57:15, God has two “addresses.” The first comes as no surprise. The high and exalted God of the universe lives forever “in a high and holy place.” Yet God has another “address” I find astounding. He lives with those who have a humble and contrite spirit. Generally, we think of kings as being comfortable with the high and mighty, with the wealthy and the successful. But this King chooses to dwell with those who are contrite and humble.
To what kind of person does God draw near? Who does He rescue and deliver? Those who have a broken, contrite spirit.
Psalm 51 is the prayer written by King David after he committed his sin with Bathsheba. He realized there was nothing he could do to earn his way back into God’s favor. David understood that God wasn’t looking for religious acts or devout behavior. The only offering God really wanted was a humble, contrite heart.
Make it Personal
Ask God to help you have a humble and contrite spirit before Him.